http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/ Illinois' premier hunting, fishing and birding Web site en sjroutdoors@comcast.net Copyright 2013 Fri, 17 May 2013 20:55:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/stay_in_touch_this_fall_for_news_and_updates We post daily news updates on our Facebook page so you will always be in the loop on what's happening in Illinois and surrounding states. Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Miscellaneous News, Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:00:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/illinois_college_grad_establishes_nest_boxes_for_kestrels Taylor Joray is making a big effort to protect North America’s smallest falcon. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:55:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/basic_pistol_course_set_for_june_1_27 A National Rifle Association basic pistol course will be offered from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. June 1 and 27 at Big Oak Hunting Paradise outside Lincoln. Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:51:27 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/league_of_illinois_bicyclists_director_to_talk_about_bike_friendly_cities The talk will be held at the Lincoln Library, 326 S. 7th St. in Springfield. Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:34:14 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/humphreys_win_springfield_crappie_club_tournament The team of Greg and Luke Humphrey took first place in the Springfield Crappie Club tournament on Lake Springfield May 11 with the weight was 5.96 pounds. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 20:32:56 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wildlife_ranger_fined_for_poaching_mule_deer A Colorado Parks and Wildlife ranger has been fined and demoted for using artificial light while poaching a trophy mule deer after legal hunting hours last October. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 18:31:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/minn._dnr_to_use_dogs_in_zebra_mussel_fight Minnesota conservation officers will get help this year in the fight against zebra mussels from three dogs specially trained to sniff out the tiny invasive species. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 18:27:19 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/central_illinois_fishing_report_for_may_17 Fluctuating springtime weather has made fishing a struggle in many areas, but bluegills could be your best bet right now in farms ponds and strip mines. With water levels returning to near normal, the catfish bite has picked up on the Illinois River. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Fri, 17 May 2013 12:14:26 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/turkey_hunter_on_an_epic_quest By the time you read this, Jeff Budz should be sound asleep. That’s because on Wednesday he finished a month-long, turkey-hunting odyssey that brought him within four states of killing a turkey in all 49 states except Alaska. Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Fri, 17 May 2013 03:14:45 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/iowa_fishing_report_for_may_16 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report. Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 17 May 2013 03:11:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/backyard_birding_video_series UPDATED May 16: The latest installment features the rose-breasted grosbeak, a striking black, white and red bird that comes to feeders in wooded areas. Illinois Outdoor News, Birding News, Fri, 17 May 2013 02:05:02 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/senate_panel_oks_restrictive_concealed_carry_bill_full_senate_could_vote_fr A Chicago Democrat’s restrictive concealed-carry legislation made it through a Senate committee Thursday, with opponents vowing again to fight its passage. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Fri, 17 May 2013 01:27:55 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/idph_take_precautions_against_tick_bites Taking precautions this spring and summer against tick bites and the illnesses ticks can carry. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 17 May 2013 01:20:04 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wind_farms_get_pass_on_eagle_deaths Wind farms in this corner of Wyoming have killed more than four dozen golden eagles since 2009, one of the deadliest places in the country of its kind. But so far, the companies operating industrial-sized turbines here and elsewhere that are killing eagles and other protected birds have yet to be fined or prosecuted - even though every death is a criminal violation. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Wed, 15 May 2013 16:15:18 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/ice_from_minn._lake_pushed_ashore_to_doorsteps WCCO-TV reports that the ice from Lake Mille Lacs (MILL LAX) reached the doors and windows at the Izatys (eye-ZEHT'-ees) Resort on Saturday morning. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Wed, 15 May 2013 02:43:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/links_to_the_future_festival_this_weekend The “Links to the Future” youth festival will be held Saturday, May 18 at Wolf Creek State Park near Lake Shelbyville. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Hunting, Hunting Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 21:20:35 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/crappie_fishing_still_excellent_at_rend_lake This week's Rend Lake fishing report is similar to last week's. Catfish and crappie fishing is excellent, while bass, bluegill and white bass are good. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Tue, 14 May 2013 21:08:07 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/schools_building_box_blinds_for_disabled Coleman Patterson has hunted deer since he was a young man, but hip surgery and arthritis now make it impossible for the 74-year-old to hike into the woods and enjoy his hobby. Hunting, Hunting Tips, Tactics & Tales, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:35:23 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/nm_seeks_court_ruling_on_hunting_license_quotas The state Game and Fish Department is asking a federal court to lift a decades-old order preventing the agency from providing New Mexico residents with more licenses to hunt bighorn sheep, ibex and oryx. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:33:56 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/gills_and_thrills_fishing_adventure_in_beloit_june_1 The Welty Environmental Center, 8606 County Highway H, Beloit, Wis., will host Gills and Thrills Fishing Adventure from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 1 at Riverside Park Lagoon, 1443 Athletic Ave., Beloit, Wis. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Tue, 14 May 2013 12:22:57 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/monitoring_for_asian_carp_to_increase_in_illinois Federal and Illinois officials said Thursday that they will intensify efforts to find Asian carp in Illinois waterways this year but cut back on DNA sampling that has scored positive hits without resulting in the discovery of the invasive fish. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Mon, 13 May 2013 12:03:38 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wyo._game_and_fish_to_begin_research_trapping_wolves Game and Fish officials say the trapping is set to begin Tuesday and continue through June 15. Big Game Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 13 May 2013 11:38:36 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/q_and_a_about_illinois_attempts_to_pass_concealed_carry_law The courts, the Capitol and the clock are complicating a debate over how to end the prohibition on carrying concealed firearms in Illinois. There are fewer than 30 days to go before a judicial deadline for developing a framework on allowing public weapons possession in the only state that currently has a ban. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Mon, 13 May 2013 11:34:23 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/proposals_would_change_ohio_deer_hunting_rules Ohio's Division of Wildlife Chief Scott Zody says the proposal would result in a total of five days of January gun hunting. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Mon, 13 May 2013 11:32:31 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/out_about_from_the_peoria_journal_star_for_may_12 The Journal Star is interested in publishing your upcoming outdoor events or recent tournament results. Please email (sports@pjstar.com), fax (309-686-3205) or call (309-686-3214) us with outdoor items. Fishing, Fishing Calendar, Hunting, Hunting Calendar, Nature and Birding, Birding Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 12 May 2013 17:12:33 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/second_man_killed_in_swinging_death_near_moab The high-risk sport of swinging wildly on ropes through canyon and arch openings in southern Utah has left a second man dead in little more than a month. Nature and Birding, Nature Newsbits, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 12 May 2013 01:15:14 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/utah_hunters_take_6000_coyotes_for_bounty For more than seven months, the state has been paying civilians $50 for every coyote they kill. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Sun, 12 May 2013 01:12:43 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wildlife_prairie_park_now_back_in_private_hands Wildlife Prairie Park has lost a little weight. Five letters, to be specific. Gov. Pat Quinn signed legislation Saturday on-scene at the park, removing “state” from the name and returning the nature preserve to a private, not-for-profit group that will operate it again. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Sun, 12 May 2013 00:10:39 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/mushroom_hall_of_fame Journal Star writers Phil Luciano and Danielle Hatch visit the legendary Schooners in Peoria Heights, home of the Mushroom Hall of Fame. Video, Journal Star writers Phil Luciano and Danielle Hatch visit the legendary Schooners in Peoria Heights, home of the Mushroom Hall of Fame.]]> Sat, 11 May 2013 12:51:12 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/mushroom_hunting_season_far_from_over_in_central_illinois Morel mushroom hunters are in the midst of an exceptional season for the second straight year, though the size of the haul isn’t necessarily the noteworthy part of the last two years. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Sat, 11 May 2013 12:36:07 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/volunteers_busy_cleaning_up_flooded_hooked_on_fishing_facility Kids are going to have to wait to fish this summer as Hooked on Fishing, a local nonprofit that teaches kids to fish, rehabilitates its facilities due to flooding. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Sat, 11 May 2013 00:19:14 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/illegal_bass_stocking_imperils_trout_in_maine_pond Wildlife officials say a prime central Maine brook trout pond is under threat because of illegal bass stocking. Fishing, Where to Fish, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 10 May 2013 22:43:59 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/high_school_bass_fishing_new_spring_sport_in_nh For the first time, bass fishing is a spring sport in some New Hampshire high schools. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 10 May 2013 22:37:07 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/missouri_fisherman_killed_in_accident_on_kentucky_lake Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources spokesman Garry Clark said 51-year-old Timothy Alan Clippard of Jackson, Mo., died after the motor on the fishing boat broke away and flew up into the boat where it hit him. Fishing, Other Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 10 May 2013 22:07:52 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/fl_wildlife_officials_say_theyve_found_a_new_species_of_bass Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission scientists say the fish they have found is a new species of black bass. They've proposed naming it the Choctaw bass, with the scientific name of Micropterus haiaka. Fishing, Big Fish Stories, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 10 May 2013 22:02:03 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/dnr_no_longer_mailing_boat_registration_renewals The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is no longer mailing watercraft registration renewal notices. Watercraft owners can renew their watercraft registrations by phone or online. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Fri, 10 May 2013 21:51:14 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/cache_river_nature_fest_set_for_saturday The Cache River Nature Fest will be held from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. May 11 at the Henry N. Barkhausen Cache River Wetlands Center, 8885 State Route 37 South, Cypress, IL. Nature and Birding, Birding Calendar, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Fri, 10 May 2013 20:02:42 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/wait_for_late_morning_toms George Little: "This late in the turkey season, most of the dumb toms have been deep-fried. Getting one close enough to shoot at can be challenging, if not completely frustrating." Illinois Outdoor News, Hunting News, Fri, 10 May 2013 13:04:00 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/late_nature_photographers_memory_inspires_new_generation For two decades, Robert McKemie traveled the world, photographing the places and wildlife he loved. When he died in February 2012, his friends created a memorial award in his honor at North Mac High School to encourage a new generation to celebrate nature. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 10 May 2013 12:25:44 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/tanagers_have_bird_watchers_seeing_red That’s because spring migration has brought a pair of bright red birds back to central Illinois. Nature and Birding, In the Wild, Fri, 10 May 2013 12:24:39 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/central_illinois_fishing_report_for_may_10 With most lakes reopening after flooding, crappie are the catch in several areas. Bass are in all phases of the spawn right now. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Fri, 10 May 2013 11:51:43 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/morel_hunters_having_success “When you see full parking lots, you know they are finding them,” said Michael Wickens, site superintendent at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area near Chandlerville. “Them” are morel mushrooms, part of the spring trifecta of outdoors pursuits including crappie fishing and turkey hunting. Illinois Outdoor News, Nature Stories, Fri, 10 May 2013 03:37:45 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/iowa_fishing_report_for_may_9 The Iowa Department of Natural Resources issues a weekly fishing report compiled from information gathered from local bait shops, angler creel surveys, and county and state parks staff. For current information, contact the district fisheries office at the phone number listed at the end of each district report. Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Thu, 09 May 2013 22:51:09 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/moderate_fish_kill_occurring_on_lake_decatur Species affected include small freshwater drum and gizzard shad. Due to the limited number of species involved, the kill likely is disease-related, according to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Thu, 09 May 2013 22:32:54 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/ihsa_bass_fishing_state_finals_rescheduled_for_may_31-june_1 IHSA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials say water levels at Carlyle Lake should drop enough by the end of May to allow the finals to be held. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Thu, 09 May 2013 19:01:58 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/texas_youths_build_special_deer_stands_for_vets More than 100 students in Southeast Texas have used their building and trade classes to construct nine deer stands for disabled veterans. Hunting, Where to Hunt, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Thu, 09 May 2013 15:30:18 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/hunters_use_military_tactics_to_kill_wild_hogs Rod Pinkston is approaching his patented trap slowly on foot because there may be stragglers outside, and he hopes to shoot them. Pinkston, owner and founder of Jager Pro Hog Control Systems, adheres to a leave-no-hog-behind philosophy. Hunting, Hunting Tips, Tactics & Tales, Miscellaneous Reports and Shorts, Thu, 09 May 2013 15:26:07 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/rend_lake_fishing_report_crappie_fishing_remains_excellent This week's Rend Lake fishing report shows fishing excellent for crappie and channel catfish. Illinois Outdoor News, Fishing News, Fishing, State Fishing Reports, Thu, 09 May 2013 12:25:18 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/prairie_state_outdoors_videos_now_on_youtube Playlists have been created at YouTube.com where videos can be accessed more easily by mobile users. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Thu, 09 May 2013 02:30:46 +0000 http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/pso/article/foid_permit_backlog_still_an_issue Illinois’ backlog from a record number of applications for Firearms Owner Identification cards shows no sign of easing. The flood of applications comes in the wake of a federal appellate court decision in December that struck down the state’s ban on concealed carry, giving lawmakers until June 9 to craft a bill with restrictions. Illinois Outdoor News, Miscellaneous News, Wed, 08 May 2013 21:55:42 +0000